Canadian cars at risk by air, land and sea – Insurance Bureau of Canada’s Annual Top 10 List Shows New Trends

Electronic auto theft is on the rise across the country as more vehicles are equipped with technology like keyless entry remotes. (Pexels Photo)

(TORONTO) – Electronic theft from your own driveway, high-end vehicles stolen for shipment overseas, and the growing trend of street racing are three themes Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) identified as it compiled the latest list of top 10 stolen vehicles across Canada.

Electronic auto theft is on the rise across the country as more vehicles are equipped with technology like keyless entry remotes. Many high-end SUVs continue to be stolen for export. IBC is also seeing cases where stolen vehicles are being given false vehicle identification numbers and sold to unsuspecting consumers. In addition, there’s a growing trend, especially during the pandemic, in dangerous activities such as street racing and illegal gatherings for drifting events, providing a market for stolen small, speedy vehicles.

“Thieves have many motives. This year’s top 10 list confirms some key trends in auto theft that we are now seeing. Regardless of how a vehicle is stolen, auto theft is a serious threat to public safety and continues to cost all Canadians,” said Bryan Gast, National Director, Investigative Services, IBC.

2020 List of Top 10 Stolen Vehicles in Canada

• 2018 HONDA CR-V 4DR AWD SUV
• 2017 LEXUS RX350/RX450h 4DR AWD SUV
• 2017 HONDA CR-V 4DR AWD SUV
• 2018 LEXUS RX350/RX350L/RX450h/RX450hL 4DR AWD SUV
• 2018 FORD F150 4WD PU
• 2019 HONDA CR-V 4DR AWD SUV
• 2018 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 4DR 4WD SUV
• 2017 TOYOTA  HIGHLANDER 4DR 4WD SUV
• 2019 LEXUS RX350/RX350L/RX450h/RX450hL 4DR AWD SUV
• 2017 DODGE RAM 1500 4WD PU

Regional lists are available on ibc.ca

Regional Insights

• In Alberta, Ford F-series and Dodge Ram trucks are the most popular vehicles to steal. These trucks are attractive to thieves, and oil and gas companies have used them almost exclusively, which has brought a disproportionately high amount of them to the province. In addition, the 2007 and earlier models were easy to steal because many did not have theft-deterrent devices installed.
• In Ontario, Lexus and Honda vehicles dominate the list. Some were stolen for export by organized crime groups, while others have been identified in street racing rings. In Project Seagull in Hamilton, Ontario, high-end vehicles were being stolen and “chopped” for parts that thieves sold on the black market.
• In Atlantic Canada, the Chevrolet Silverado is the most-stolen vehicle. Typically, vehicles like these are targets for export to foreign countries.

Interviews

IBC’s National Director of Investigative Services, Bryan Gast, is available for interviews and commentary on the list and how technology is changing the methods thieves use to steal vehicles in Canada. Before Mr. Gast came to IBC, he spent three decades serving in law enforcement in Ontario.

(Photo: Insurance Bureau of Canada)